The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has explained why it took time for the federal government to approve the extradition of Abba Kyari, suspended deputy commissioner of police to face fraud charges in the United States of America.
Malami explained the reason for the delay in a statement released by his spokesperson, Umar Gwandu, shortly after the news of the extradition application he filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja broke on Thursday.
“As you are aware, extradition is a process that involves multifaceted components,” the statement said.
“The components are usually multi-territorial; international, local and judicial.
“Submission of request from the concerned party to the relevant authorities constitutes one of such components.
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice received the extradition request in respect of the officer in question,” the statement read in part.
The statement also noted that, after receiving the request from United State of America, the AGF office studied and reviewed it thoroughly before filing the extradition application in court.
“After thorough studies and reviews of issues regarding the application and components thereof, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice processed the application and forward same to the relevant authorities for further necessary action,” the statement stated.
It was recalled that U.S. government, in July 2021, named Mr Kyari, a celebrated police officer, among co-conspirators of Ramon Abass, aka Huspuppi, an Instagram celebrity, in a multi-million-dollars money laundering fraud.
Hushpuppi is awaiting judgment after pleading guilty to the offences leveled against him in a separate case filed at the Central District Court of Central District of California.
Mr Kyari is named among five of Hushpuppi’s conspirators in a $1.1 million fraud charge approved by a U.S. grand jury.
While on suspension over his role in the Hushpuppi’s case, NDLEA has also declared him wanted and arrested him last month for involving in a 25kg cocaine deal.
